Our friends in the north

[rondwisan]

02/12/2010 12:48 - ManUtd.com, Steve Morgan
Our friends in the north



United play a remarkable 14 matches against North-West rivals this season - not since 1962/63 have we had to keep such a keen eye on our neighbours, noisy or otherwise. Here’s a reminder of who’s who in a long-running soap opera…

Blackpool (P80 W43 D17 L20 GF149 GA94)
First appeared Blackpool 4 Newton Heath 2, Division Two, Raikes Hall Gardens, 17.10.1896
Notes on character Like the lottery winner whose life changed forever after an unexpected windfall. Will they blow it on ridiculous extravagances – an outsized garden water feature, blond highlights – or sensibly aim for growth and stability?
Current plotline The rigours of Premier League life on a small squad can take their toll – how will Ollie cope with the fallout over the ‘Villa incident’? Yoga lessons? Hypnosis? Then there’s the wife and kids to feed…
Housewives’ choice Ian Holloway, disarming air – part exasperation, mostly inspiration.
Turn-off Limited capacity means not many Reds will savour one of football’s great days out.
Director’s notes In January 1962, United played the entire game against Blackpool with 10 men. Matt Busby submitted his team, but David Herd was injured in the warm-up. Subs were not permitted then. Herd was still credited with the appearance.
Next on Bloomfield Road, 04.12.10

Blackburn Rovers (P94 W43 D24 L27 GF171 GA135)
First appeared Rovers 4 Newton Heath 3, First Division (our first opponents), 03.09.1892
Notes on character Respected, distinguished veterans, founding members of the Football League.
Current plotline ‘Big Sam’ is looking to recreate his halcyon days at Bolton. Sam’s home improvements have made Rovers – mid-90s title-traders with United – a tough nut on their own patch, but they were taken to the cleaners at OT.
Housewives’ choice Phil Jones – teen defender on verge of England honours.
Turn-off El Hadji-Diouf, the doyen of pantomime villains.
Director’s notes Reds great Johnny Carey became Rovers’ boss on leaving OT in 1953.
Next on Ewood Park, 14.05.2011.

Manchester City (P143 W57 D49 L37 GF 207 GA 187)
First appeared Manchester City 2 Newton Heath 5, Hyde Road (Second Division), 03.11.1894
Notes on character Perennially brash. An endearing enthusiasm is sabotaged by an unerring ability to locate banana skins (inflatable or otherwise).
Current plotline There’s trouble ahead for Roberto Mancini’s men, as pesky meddling journos dig for behind-the-scenes drama to undermine not-so-secret plan for world domination. Can Bobby keep his massive squad happy? And just who (and where) is the mysterious Emmanuel Adebayor?
Housewives’ choice Gareth Barry, always neat and tidy.
Turn-off Carlos Tevez. Who else?
Director’s notes Talking of the old days, when City last won a trophy, a pint of beer cost about 8p. That was ’76, by the way. What’s that? No, 1976, not 1876, silly.
Next on Old Trafford, 12.02.11

Everton (P163 W71 D39 L53 GF254 GA 236)
First appeared Everton 6 Newton Heath 0, First Division, Goodison Park, 24.09.1892
Notes on character Feisty and unpredictable, terrier-like. When they’re good, they’re very good, but as with our cross-town neighbours, a tendency to over-excite can cost them dear.
Current plotline Domestically settled, but concerns linger over home improvements. With Goodison so tightly hemmed in by houses, the spectre of ground-share with the men across Stanley Park never goes away.
Housewives’ choice The lovely Phil Neville – a genuine hero for both sets of fans.
Turn-off Tim Cahill. Has that annoying, United-esque habit of never giving up.
Director’s notes We’ve never met outside the top flight. Only Arsenal (183 league meetings) have played United more often.
Next on Old Trafford, 23.04.11

Bolton Wanderers (P115 W49 D25 L41 GF 183 GA156)
First appeared Bolton 4 Newton Heath 1, First Division, Pikes Lane, 03.12.1892
Notes on character Ambitious self-improvers, looking to escape the clutches of the rank-and-file through upward mobility.
Current plotline Straight-talking, clean-living darling-of-the-fans Owen Coyle has been a breath of fresh air. Gone are the ‘anti-football’ accusations, instead a pass ’n’ move groove, with Johan Elmander replacing last year’s blanks with sharp-shootery.
Housewives’ choice Kevin Davies – a sweetie, really, when you get to know him.
Turn-off Martin Petrov. Sorry fella, but you were a noisy neighbour.
Director’s notes That really was a foul on our keeper in the 1958 FA Cup final, you know.
Next on Old Trafford, 19.03.11

Liverpool (P155 W60 D43 L52 GF216 GA203)
First appeared Liverpool 7 Newton Heath 1, Second Division, Anfield, 12.10.1895
Notes on character Confused, like a middle-aged man trying to work iPhone 4. Still, at least the Beatles are at no.1, eh la? ‘Can I get the Fab Four on this model’?
Current plotline Under new ownership, but still a long way adrift of the standards expected in L4. It’s hard for the new boss when he doesn’t know which side is going to turn up. Scourge of Chelsea or suckers at Stoke? It’s anyone’s guess.
Housewives’ choice Stevie G’s still got ’em hooked.
Turn-off Christian Poulsen. “The fans haven’t seen the true me yet”. They’re not the only ones…
Director’s notes United’s opening ‘home’ game in 1971/72 against Arsenal was at Anfield.
Next on Anfield, 05.03.11

Wigan Athletic (P11 W11 D0 L0 GF33 GA4)
First appeared United 4 Wigan 0, Premier League, Old Trafford, 14.12.05
Notes on character Stressed middle-management type, but still capable of letting it all hang out at the office party.
Current plotline Suave Roberto Martinez, creditably, favours style over a ‘dogs of war’ approach but supremo Dave Whelan, no less creditably, is mindful of the purse strings. Can Robby continue to serve up sumptuous meals with a limited budget?
Housewives’ choice Tom Cleverley. Dimunitive Red making big progress on loan.
Turn-off Hugo Rodallega. The Colombian let himself down with a lunge at Rafael.
Director’s notes Matt Busby named Dave Whelan ‘one of the most-improved players of the season’ in 1957/58
Next on DW Stadium, 26.02.11

[Ridwanox]

maksudnya apa??? gak paham ane